Take part in the European Heritage Days 2025 in Poitiers and its surroundings

Heading to Saint-Savin!

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the Abbey of Saint-Savin will open its doors from 10:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. on September 20 and 21, 2025.

The program for Saturday, September 20:

• Canoeing and musical aperitif on the banks of the Gartempe for 25 euros per person
• Electronic music and viola da gamba concert CARAVELLE by Dominique Dalcan for 12 euros per person

For canoeing, reservations and payment must be made to the CPA of Lathus-Saint-Rémy. For the concert, tickets are already available for purchase on site.

The program for Sunday, September 21:

•  Free visit
• Self-guided tour with tablet for 5 euros
• Guided tour for 5 euros per person

A single rate for this special weekend to discover the Abbey of Saint-Savin, which is full of founding and universal stories!

Historic Escape Game at the Sainte-Croix Collegiate Church

In Loudun, discover the Sainte-Croix Collegiate Church in a new light through the historic escape game centered around the mystery of Urbain Grandier. Time slots are scheduled at 14 p.m., 15 p.m., and 16 p.m. 

While you wait for your turn, a treasure hunt, an exhibition and participatory workshops will be offered to you all weekend!

An afternoon going back in time at the Ecomuseum!

On Sunday, September 21, come and enjoy the skills of yesteryear in a friendly atmosphere! Blacksmiths, bakers, basket-weaving enthusiasts, and other artisans—there's something for everyone. 

You’ll find here: 

• Craft demonstrations
• Meetings with enthusiasts
• A visit to the interpretation center and its exhibition “Towards healthy and sustainable food”
• Traditional games for the whole family 
• An orchard, an interpretive trail and cold drinks on site!

Civaux, a life-size playground

In Civaux, come with your family to take part in a unique treasure hunt around Dracula ! Linked to the exhibition “Dracula: Archaeologists have found his tomb”, navigate from enigma to enigma in the museum but also in the village to discover the secret of Dracula’s life potion! Reservation required (€2 per family). 

If you are in Civaux, this is also the opportunity to try the treasure hunt Family Experience "Marina's Treasure“. Help Marine, a young Roman woman, find her most precious possession!

The JEP in La Roche-Posay!

Discover La Roche-Posay and its heritage! The town opens the doors to its history for you...

• Saturday and Sunday : Guided tour of La Roche: "When 21st-century technology meets the stone of the past." Departure will be at 14:30 p.m. from the Tourist Office. This 2-hour tour is open to all, no reservation required. 

The Thermal Center also opens its doors to you! 

• Saturday 20 from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m. : 2-hour tours with departures every 45 minutes to enter for the  first time at the heart of production!
• Sunday 21 from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m. : a 1-hour tour to discover the architecture of the historic building, which has been completely renovated to combine heritage and medical innovation. Then, in the Pavillon des Sources, a screening of the award-winning documentary Scars of Life.

Medieval Festival and Banquet in Montreuil-Bonnin!

For this 11th edition, catapults, cannons, and acrobats will be on display. On the program: fun activities for young and old, a fire and stilt show, musicians, horses, and riders. In short, a true return to the Middle Ages! In the evening, a grand banquet is planned (reservations required).

Heritage Days, Castles version!

On the occasion of European Heritage Days, many castles usually closed to the public are opening their doors to you! Guided, self-guided, or themed tours, it's the opportunity to discover real gems! Here is a small selection: 

• Chateau de Ternay 
• Purnon Castle
• Chapelle-Bellouin Castle
• Chateau des Ormes
• Coussay Castle

And many more! It's time!

Dive into the stones and history of the Château de Marmande

You’ll find here: 

• Guided tour - “So very in love”: During this visit, discover the romantic history of the Château and meet the great families who made its history! 
• Introductory workshop on plant printing on textiles: After a moment of culture, enjoy this fun, family activity and leave with your unique masterpiece! 
• Guided tour - “How old is the watchtower?” : Archaeology fan? This tour is for you! Become an archaeologist for a moment to uncover all the fortress's secrets!

Once there, enjoy this beautiful medieval fortress perched on its rock! You will observe ten centuries of architectural and heritage evolution!

Parking is available near the site.

A weekend at the Grand Atelier

As part of the JEP, the Grand Atelier, the Châtellerault art and industry museum, will be free for all visitors on Saturday and Sunday from 14 p.m. to 19 p.m. 

This museum is made up of different spaces that will win your hearts: 

• Auto Moto Vélo: more than 200 vehicles and objects to retrace two centuries of history of the “land transport revolution”;
• Châtellerault arms factory: a journey through its industrial and social history;
• Cabaret du Chat Noir: a poetic recreation of shadow theatre and the atmosphere of Montmartre at the end of the 19th century.

As a bonus, several temporary exhibitions to discover: Sylvain Chavanel, La Manu and sport from 1945 to 2024 and the Origins of the bicycle. And a pyromusical show at Pont Henri IV, Saturday evening at 22 p.m.

A visit not to be missed! In addition, you will find two Incredibles there Expériences Famille : the Grand Atelier Express and the Keller Affair!

Out and about in Poitiers

During this weekend, many sites will welcome you to Poitiers !

• Le Palace : unique guided tours, educational workshops, conferences, shows, demonstrations, etc. 
• THENotre-Dame church : at the heart of the construction site, interact with stonemasons, masons and carpenters and enjoy demonstrations and creative workshops.
• THEHypogeum of the Dunes for a unique visit!
• THEUniversity of Poitiers and its many private mansions and other buildings. For a more fun day, also enjoy an Escape Game “Le Café des Curiosités”
• Le TAP will offer you different ways to discover this emblematic place: guided tours, technical tours, sensory tours and other activities!
• THEMontierneuf church : discover this historic site in Poitiers through a tour led by a medieval history professor!

A magical moment with the Owls 

Just minutes from Poitiers, in the town of Nouaillé-Maupertuis, meet us on Saturdays from 15 p.m. to 16 p.m. and from 17 p.m. to 18 p.m. for a unique encounter with falconer Alexandre Thévenin. At Clos des Remparts, witness a flight of owls up close! With a bit of luck, they might land next to you? A professional in the field, Alexandre Thévenin notably worked on the training of the highly acclaimed Hedwig in Harry Potter! 

Retracing History… in webtoon!

At theCharroux Abbey and Gallo-Roman site of Sanxay, discover a unique and fun way to (re)discover the history of sites: an interactive webtoon to read directly on your smartphone. An original and immersive idea to interest the youngest! 

Heading to Prehistory…

Let's go on a direct journey to Prehistory La Sabline Museum. But not a trip like any other! Explore prehistory through your 5 senses, immerse yourself in the environment of prehistoric peoples, all accompanied by storyteller Corinne Pignoux. A snack will be offered at the end of the event. Attention, Reservations compulsory near the museum!

Open-air history at Domaine de Roiffé

On Sunday the 21st, discover the architectural secrets and history of the Domaine de Roiffé! Take a guided stroll through the gardens at 11 a.m. or 14:30 p.m. Discover or rediscover the estate, combining architectural heritage and lush greenery!

Find all the information about the European Heritage Days on their official website!